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sixfootdan Samba Smartass
Joined: February 13, 2002 Posts: 4848 Location: \Lo*ca"tion\, n. 1. The act or process of locating.
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 6:58 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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I noticed the base frame is not round and has some shape at the front, Won't that make it more difficult to form the bubble on top? I love this build by the way.
[/quote] _________________ Schrodinger's cat walked into a bar and it didn't.
GO SEAHAWKS!!! |
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 7:18 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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Yes the bubble is a bit squared off up front to make room for the steering wheel. Not sure if it was worth the extra work for the 1-2" of extra space I get for it but space to fit inside is important since I want this to be a driver. I imagine it might be a bit trickier to blow the bubble with a non round shape, but the theory behind it is the same regardless of shape and I only need 15-18" of height in the bubble which isn't asking for much.
We will see... |
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mfergel Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2013 Posts: 247 Location: Richmond, VA
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Wed Feb 03, 2016 8:22 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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My current plan is to build some sort of oven out of an industrial shelving unit and a couple of propane burners like you would use for homebrewing. From what I read 5yrs ago on the topic, you sandwich the plexiglass between two sheets of plywood, one with a small 1/2" hole in the middle of you bubble facing up, and one with the ID of the bubble frame you see here facing down. You heat it until the plexiglass gets melts around 400deg F and then use an air compressor to blow in air from the top. Then you take it off the heat and let it cool down once you get the shape how you want it. That's the theory at least. My artist friend wants to help and says he has some ideas for a vacuum former too. It's going to be a trial and error thing I bet. |
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Tue Feb 09, 2016 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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did some sheet metal forming today. built first 3 pieces for gas tank. all need some tweaking still, but should be welding in a couple work days.
first put together a high tech roll bender.
then put some rolls in a piece of 18ga to form the bottom of the tank. tried to match tunnel shape for the trough. easier said than done but got it close enough so that I think it will work without further adjustment in the 'roller.'
wheeled some shape into the top panel
planning to do some beads on this piece too for looks/strength.
cut some forms from the plywood the English wheel came in and hammer formed the longer end piece.
trough is too deep though so have to tweak it some tomorrow. gas gauge should still fit.
all pieces following design pretty well.
also picked up a steering wheel for 60 bones off craigslist. bit larger od than I planned to make but if it doesn't fit as is I will make a new rim after adding more dish. figure either way i'll save a ton of time.
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Wed Feb 10, 2016 4:57 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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more progress on gas tank.
shortened trough on long side first.
clecos to hold bottom to long end flange while shape adjusted.
checked fit before welding
welded both sides of flange
hammer formed short end in same fashion as long end from yesterday.
test fit
welded
about a fingers width between hood and tank
plenty of leg room
traced out hood lines on tank top, rolled with bead rolling wheel on English wheel
extended 80mm gas cap neck. probably would have worked fine at the height of the stock flange, but this will allow me to adjust height sticking out of hood and also help keep gas from sloshing out I hope.
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mfergel Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2013 Posts: 247 Location: Richmond, VA
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 9:49 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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The car as a whole or the tank? Answer is yes either way. |
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VOLKSWAGNUT Fastest VW Belt Changer
Joined: October 14, 2007 Posts: 11055 Location: Flippin' a Belt........ .... Off-n-On ... NC USA
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 10:31 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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Your location needs to be changed to .. .... Hammertrammer MI..
You got some serious metal forming skills man..
Its somewhat a lost and forgotten art..
. _________________ aka Ken {o\!/o}
Its your vehicle- stop askin' for approval-do what YOU like for cryin' out loud
Better to roll em' how you want and wear em' out-than lettin' em' rot out
Its about the going not the showing
Rebuilt to drive not decorate
WANTED: Local Eatin' Joints, Triple D for TheSamba contributions here http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=570510
Search "VOLKSWAGNUT" on YouTube since you cant watch a "certain" BELT change video round here
Usually and often edited |
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tattooed_pariah Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2006 Posts: 2047 Location: El Cajon, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2016 4:50 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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I don't have anything to add so I don't comment much, but this is awesome!!! keep up the great work man! I wish I had even a fraction of your talent! _________________ -pariah (just a novice from "that other VW site")
'72 Volksrod "Effigy"
"Never worry about stepping on people's toes. People who get their toes stepped on are either sitting down, or standing still on the job."
-Admiral Arleigh Burke, USN(ret.) |
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Sat Feb 13, 2016 8:36 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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in the interest of not wanting my balls to freeze off I've been working on inside projects for the last few days. did take some time to make some updated sketches though. this time I even uploaded them in the correct orientation!
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daanbc Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2015 Posts: 403 Location: S.Fl
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Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2016 12:57 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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Reminds me of the old HotWheels car. Awesome fab. work.! |
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Firetruck Samba Member
Joined: September 13, 2013 Posts: 12 Location: Germany
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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Awesome work Sir! You are an artist!
Make sure to add some baffle plate / wash plate to prevent the gas from moving too much inside the tank. _________________ On the seventh day, God drove a VW Bus. |
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mfergel Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2013 Posts: 247 Location: Richmond, VA
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2016 1:35 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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thanks for all the motivating words.
got a bit more done today but also injured myself so it will be a few days yet before I can finish the tank up.
steering column will pass through this tube. OD of stock column housing just fits in the ID of this tube.
good alignment at steering box end
fuel bung welded on too
fuel line will exit out rhd dimmer switch pressing to make it look like it was designed to be that way. |
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Ghosttowncs Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2015 Posts: 34 Location: Wyoming
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Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2016 2:22 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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This is awesome! Can't wait to see more. |
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ach60 Samba Member
Joined: May 14, 2001 Posts: 4139 Location: Santa Maria
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Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2016 10:26 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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nshaddox wrote: |
My current plan is to build some sort of oven out of an industrial shelving unit and a couple of propane burners like you would use for homebrewing. From what I read 5yrs ago on the topic, you sandwich the plexiglass between two sheets of plywood, one with a small 1/2" hole in the middle of you bubble facing up, and one with the ID of the bubble frame you see here facing down. You heat it until the plexiglass gets melts around 400deg F and then use an air compressor to blow in air from the top. Then you take it off the heat and let it cool down once you get the shape how you want it. That's the theory at least. My artist friend wants to help and says he has some ideas for a vacuum former too. It's going to be a trial and error thing I bet. |
I think I remember that Ed Roth's bubble tops where made in a Pizza oven!
https://www.google.com/search?q=Ed+Roth%27s+bubble...mp;bih=858 _________________ Good Luck
Al |
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tisius Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2011 Posts: 1570 Location: Rotterdam,NL (+Chicago,IL)
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Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 4:04 am Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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C L !!!!!! _________________ drive it like you just robbed the bank
you don't have to be crazy to be into VW's, but it sure helps!!
.... if it ain't dutch, it ain't much! |
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Keith Samba Member
Joined: August 15, 2005 Posts: 3634 Location: Brodheadsville, PA
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Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 10:16 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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I'm loving this build! Can't wait to see it done! _________________ Formerly known in the forums as "OVALTEEN"
"I firmly believe that some villagers from Botswana could probably build a better road than PennDot."- Splitty
"If you do anything to your car someone will hate on you for it. People absolutely love to complain and find fault with others. Don't let it bother you. Just live and have fun."- Lind |
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nshaddox Samba Member
Joined: January 18, 2005 Posts: 612 Location: Hammatramma, MI
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Posted: Wed Mar 02, 2016 4:27 pm Post subject: Re: Neil's bubbletop volksrod build |
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If anyone knows any aluminum welders near me in Detroit, I'd appreciate it if contacts were shared. Got some bits that need some attention. |
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